Lars O Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Hi! I'm Lars. I am a 32 yr old dad of three. I retired from the Air Force and Illinois gave me a fishing license for life. I decided I would use it and, I went to Wal-Mart and bought 2 rods and some fishing stuff. Figured with a state park 5 minutes from my house I could fish with my kids. I have no clue what I am doing. I caught a blue gill once when I was 12 with a canepole and a worm. That sums up my knowldge and experience. I have been reading around the website about equipment and strategies. I went today with my son for about 2 hours. here are my two biggest questions. 1. How do I know when I have a bite? 2. What do I do then? Thank you, Lars Quote
weknowhowtolive Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Knowing when you have a bite depends on what you're fishing for and what you're using to catch them. If you're using a worm and a bobber, knowing when you have a bite is pretty easy. If you're fishing something else, its harder sometimes. A lot of people who have been fishing since they were kids still dont always know. I sure dont. Personally, when in doubt, I set the hook. To set the hook, you basically want to pull the pole from about a 8 or 9 o clock position to a 1 or 2 or 3 o clock position as fast as you can. Itll force the hook into the fishes mouth (hopefully.) after that, if hte fish is hook, reel in the slack while dropping your rod and keep tension on the line until you reel the fish in. What are you fishing for, and what are you fishing with? Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted June 10, 2008 Super User Posted June 10, 2008 Welcome aboard! If you want to get involved in the sport, spend some time reading "Fishging Articles" at the top of the page. We have an extensive library with just about everything you need to know. You will learn much more in a shorter period of time reading the articles before asking questions on the Forum. Now, if you just want to catch some fish "right now", crickets. minnows and worms are dynamite. Hook them up on a split shot rig and a bobber. You and the kids will catch some fish, guaranteed! Good luck! 8-) Quote
Lars O Posted June 10, 2008 Author Posted June 10, 2008 I got a 7ft catfish rod with and open reel (string exposed). I want to fish for bass and catfish. Today I tried for bass. I am sure I had some decent hits. I was mostly waiting for it to run once it had it. Thinking now this is a bad idea. I read about 20 or so of the articles already. I was using plastic worms today. I didn't have them on the hook right I found out after reading. I think tomorrow I will try night crawlers. Quote
weknowhowtolive Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Yeah you dont want to let them run. Also, if you're using plastic worms you need to move them yourself, because unlike real worms, they wont move on their own. Quote
Lars O Posted June 10, 2008 Author Posted June 10, 2008 Thanks for the advice guys. I read a lot more. I am starting to understand a lot of the science and behaviors involved behind this now. My oldest and I are real excited about getting out on a new lake tomorrow. His friend all brings home loads of bass from there. I got the whole summer off til I start college in the fall. I am going to have a lot of time to learn what I am doing. It will also be nice to have people teach me what to do. Quote
skillet Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 It's not as much fun as fishing (catching ) but read the articles and tips and write down specific questions you have. Folks will be more able to help that way. WELCOME to the forums!!! As Ever, skillet Quote
Big-O Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Hello Lars O and and a Big O Welcome to ya. Hope you learn some valuable info here and have alot of fun as well. Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
Lars O Posted June 10, 2008 Author Posted June 10, 2008 One last question. I smoke, yes I know it will kill me. Does that have any affect on anything? Like the scent on my lures? Quote
weknowhowtolive Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 I know people who smoke (and i dip) and have never noticed a scent problem. One thing I noticed was you saying your kids friends bring home loads of bass. Bass is a pretty boring fish to eat, and most bass fishermen practice catch and release so others can catch these fish in the future. Just somethin to think about if you plan on keeping your legal limit Quote
JShrock07 Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Scent from dipping or smoking has never affected the bass I catch. I even moisten the line when I have a dip in when I have to tie a knot. But its hard to beleive that you're 32 yrs old and hardly ever fished!!!! Well welcome to the great sport and if you do it right you will be hooked in no time. Heck you might even cancel college hahahahaha ;D Quote
craiger9er Posted June 10, 2008 Posted June 10, 2008 Hey all, I'm new to the board and just wanted to say hi. Quote
Dutchmaster Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 Welcome to bass fishing Lars, The really cool part is your doing this with your son, that in it's self is worth the money spent. Maybe what you might want to do is find out when your son's friend is going to the lake and watch what he does. It sounds like you may have found out how to rig the worm but a good way to rig them is texas rig. If you go to YouTube and do a search on texas rig they will show you how to set it up. This is probably the easiest way for both you and your son to fish for bass, it can be very addicting once you get the hang of it. Good luck Quote
rondef Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 to the forum. All I can say is read as much as possible and if you can watch some fishing shows that is a bonus. Quote
skillet Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 craiger9er, WELCOME to the forums!!! As Ever, skillet Quote
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